Kyrie Irving’s Long-Term Nets Career In Doubt —GM Refuses To Commit, Hinting Covid Vaccine Refusal Is Possible Reason

Topline

Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks would not say Wednesday if he hopes the team’s star point guard Kyrie Irving will be in Brooklyn long-term, showing frustration after Irving’s refusal to receive the Covid-19 vaccine bled into the Nets’ on-court success, contributing to the franchise’s disappointing 2021-22 season.

Key Facts

Marks said the Nets’ front office is still “discussing” the situation when asked by a reporter if Brooklyn is committed to Irving long-term.

Irving, who remains unvaccinated against Covid-19 and is one of the most prominent advocates against vaccine mandates, played in just 29 of the Nets’ 82 games last season due to New York City Covid-19 vaccine rules that ended in March.

Marks indicated in the press conference the Nets’ hesitation may be related to Irving’s vaccine-related absence, saying the team is looking for players who can “be available” and “want to be something bigger than themselves.”

Irving has a $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season and would become a free agent if he declines.

Key Background

By far the preseason betting favorite to win the NBA title, the Nets finished with the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference and lost in the first round of the playoffs. In October, Irving revealed he was unvaccinated and thus ineligible for Nets home games due to a New York City mandate that required athletes to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to play. Brooklyn suspended the seven-time All Star in October before allowing him to return as a part-time player in December. New York City Mayor Eric Adams waived the athlete vaccine requirement March 26, a move that came shortly before the start of the NBA postseason. In March, Irving said he intended to stay with the Nets, saying, “I love it here,” though he didn’t say if he intended to pick up his player option or seek a new deal. Irving is eligible to sign a maximum five-year contract with Brooklyn worth up to $246 million.

Crucial Quote

In an appearance last week on his Nets teammate Kevin Durant’s podcast, Irving called himself a martyr, saying missing games to stand up against vaccine mandates chalked up to “the life of a martyr, bro.”

Big Number

About $380,000. That’s how much in salary Irving missed out on each home game he missed while ineligible due to his vaccination status.

Further Reading

Kyrie Irving’s Vaccination Status Drops Him From The Ranks Of The Highest-Paid NBA Players (Forbes)

Brooklyn Nets’ playoff flops have created business concerns for the heavily hyped NBA franchise (CNBC)